Women’s Human Rights Education Institutes
In today’s environment of rising fundamentalisms, disregard for human rights, ecological and economic devastation, and the aggressive use of force we are faced with major challenges in practice. There is an urgent need for broad transformative approaches, supported by increasing clarity of analysis and vision and effective practical skills. As a means to enabling a comprehensive response to these challenges, participants of the Women’s Human Rights Education Institutes will engage in theory-building, action-planning and skills building on the international human rights system and an applied women’s human rights framework, returning to their respective organizations and regions with an increased awareness of varied international strategies and exposure to diverse local and national contexts.
The WHRI’s goal is to raise awareness of the human rights standards set by the U.N. with the objective that participants will be able to engage in human rights education and women’s human rights advocacy themselves. The need for human rights education at all levels and for all ages is enshrined within the framework of the UN system and the various human rights conventions, as well as in the Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2011. This was a response to the discovery that although most countries have committed themselves to upholding human rights and have ratified many of the U.N. human rights instruments, most people, especially women, are unaware of their existence. However, while human rights education programs are increasing, those tailored specifically to women’s human rights are far and few between. The WHRI is a unique space in which this learning occurs over an extended period, with renowned women’s human rights activists with decades of field experience as facilitators, enabling participants to leave the institute with the confidence and know how to apply their learning immediately.
Although many groundbreaking resolutions and treaties exist within the UN Human Rights System, without women’s organizations and peace groups around the world holding UN member states responsible for the commitments they have made, these are not likely to be implemented. Unless and until most of the inhabitants of each country are aware of their rights and responsibilities, democracy, peace and justice will continue to be unattainable. These training institutes aim to support the implementation of these declarations and conventions and to assist in developing and expanding a global network of practitioners working from a common women’s human rights discourse.
We currently offer two training institutes:
WHRI Women’s Human Rights Education Institute
CEDAW for Change One-Week Institute
Throughout the year, we also offer workshops for teachers on human rights education and Alda Facio offers many trainings worldwide. We also have a group of skilled international facilitators available for consulting and workshop facilitation. Please contact us for more information.
